Rabbi's plan to build Jewish high school in Jackson faces opposition

Hundreds of Jackson residents oppose a plan to build a Jewish high school in town, citing transportation costs.Jackson Township

JACKSON — Hundreds of people are protesting a plan to build an Orthodox Jewish high school for 400 female students in Jackso.

The township's zoning board on Wednesday postponed ruling on a variance because the board says a traffic-impact study is needed.

The Asbury Park Press reports the attorney who represents the rabbi who wants to build the school urged the board not to discriminate between public and private schools. The rabbi's engineer noted that two public schools were built in similar neighborhoods.

But many residents expressed fears that such a school could drive up school transportation costs similar to neighboring Lakewood, where the school board is facing a $4 million shortfall.